Shaper-driving mechanism



Sept. 23', 1924".

J. J. WITT SHAPER DRIVING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 16 1922 1 1. rllllll/ I 7 flaw- M WWW Patented Sept. 23, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

JOHN J. WITT, OF WINCHENDON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOB TO GOODSPEED IVIA- CHINE COMPANY, A CQRPORATION 035 MASSACHUSETTS.

SHAPER-DRIVING MECHANISM.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN J. VVrr'r, a citizen of the United States, residing at \Vinchendon, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Sharper-Driving Mechanism, of which the following is a. specification.

This invention relates to driving mechanism for a shaper of the wood working type in which the cutter is mounted at the upper end of a vertical spindle.

My inventionparticularly relates to improvements in the bearing slide or casing in which the vertical spindle is mounted.

Une'objeot of my invention is to provide a casing construction in which the front of the slide is entirely enclosed and which also provides an unusually rigid support for the spindle bearings.

Another object of my invention is to provide improved mechanism for raising and lowering tiie slide in the machine frame.

My invention further relates to arrangements and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

A preferred form of my invention is shown in the dr wings, in which Fig. 1 is a front elevation, partly in section, of my improved driving mechanism arranged for a belt drive; and

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view, taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, I have shown parts of a shaper including a base or frame 10, a work supporting table 11 and a cutter head 12 mounted at the upper end of a vertical spindle 13. The spindle 13 is provided with an upper bearing 14k, a lower bearing 15, and a bottom thrust bearing 16. These bearings 14k, 15 and 16 are secured to a slide or casing 80 having substantially the form of a semi-cylindrical shell and mounted for vertical movement in fixed guideways 18 and 19 (Fig. 2). One member of the guide-way 19 is adjustable to provide a close fit for the spindle slide.

An arm '20. projects from the front side of the casing 30 and is threaded to receive a threaded elevating shaft 21. The upper end of the threaded shaft 21 is rotatable in a bearing 22 fixed on the frame 10 and the lower end of the shaft has a thrust bearing against the bottom of the frame 10. hand wheel 23 is connected through suitable worm gearing to rotate the elevating shaft 21.

A driving pulley 31 is secured to the spindle 13 between the bearings 14 and 15 and a belt 32 for driving the spindle enters the casing 30 from the rear side thereof as shown in Fig. 2.

The slide construction above described has several important advantages. The casing is of such form that the spindle bearings are very rigidly supported thereby and are held securely in permanent alignment. The entire front of the casing is also permanently closed, protecting the driving mechanism from injury and also fully protecting the operator. Furthermore, the provision of an elevating screw acting directly against the base of the frame is an important improvement over the construction heretofore used in such machines, as the weight of the spindle slide is directly supported upon the base instead of being suspended from the upper bearing of the elevating screw.

The semi-cylindrical casing 30 entirely enclosing the front of the slide is of special utility, as the belt enters and leaves the slide from the rear and the operator is absolutely protected from any contact with the belt or driving pulley. As the cutter spindle of a shaper is driven at very high speed, this is a matter of very considerable importance.

Having thus described my invention and the advantages thereof 1 do not wish to be limited to the details here-in disclosed otherwise than as set forth in the claims, but what I claim is 1. In a shaper, a frame having spaced vertical side guiding members, a spindle casing comprising a substantially semicylindrical shell disposed substantially in front of its axis with the space at the rear of said axis unobstructed and having bearing surfaces at its side edges engaging said guiding members, a spindle mounted in upper and lower hearings on said casing behind said semi-cylindrical shell, driving means for said spindle disposed between said upper and lower bearings and en tirely enclosed at the front side by the semicylindrical shell portion of said casing, and means to raise and lower said casing.

2. In a shaper, a. frame having spaced vertical side guiding members, a spindle casing comprising a substantially semicylindrical shell disposed substantially in 'front of its axis with the space at the rear of said axis unobstructed and having bearing surfaces at its side edges engaging said guiding membersya spindle mounted in upper a-nd lower bearings on said casing be- 10 hind said semi-cylindrical shell, a driving pulley on said spindle and between said upper and lower bearings and concealed behind said semi-eylindi'ical shell, said shell being fully open at the back to permit passage of a belt to and from said pulley, and means to raise and lower said casing.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto afiixed my signature.

JOHN J. WITT. 

